Excellent magnetocaloric properties in RE(2)Cu(2)Cd (RE = Dy and Tm) compounds and its composite materials

The magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of ternary intermetallic RE(2)Cu(2)Cd (RE = Dy and Tm) compounds and its composite materials have been investigated in detail. Both compounds undergo a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition at its own Curie temperatures of T(C) ~ 48.5 and 15 K for Dy(2)Cu(2)Cd and Tm(2)Cu(2)Cd, respectively, giving rise to the large reversible MCE. An additionally magnetic transition can be observed around 16 K for Dy(2)Cu(2)Cd compound. The maximum values of magnetic entropy change (−ΔS(M)(max)) are estimated to be 17.0 and 20.8 J/kg K for Dy(2)Cu(2)Cd and Tm(2)Cu(2)Cd, for a magnetic field change of 0–70 kOe, respectively. A table-like MCE in a wide temperature range of 10–70 K and enhanced refrigerant capacity (RC) are achieved in the Dy(2)Cu(2)Cd - Tm(2)Cu(2)Cd composite materials. For a magnetic field change of 0–50 kOe, the maximum improvements of RC reach 32% and 153%, in comparison with that of individual compound Dy(2)Cu(2)Cd and Tm(2)Cu(2)Cd. The excellent MCE properties suggest the RE(2)Cu(2)Cd (RE = Dy and Tm) and its composite materials could be expected to have effective applications for low temperature magnetic refrigeration.